Friday, March 6, 2009

The "60-Minute" Divorce for under $500


A new version of a "New York minute", or just another sign of the times? A law firm in New York City is offering clients divorce in under an hour, and for less than $500, not including filing fees, courier expenses, and other fine print.

For the low fee, clients meet with a lparalegal and lawyer at the NYC firm to provide their personal information. The clients are next provided a ten dollar gift certificate to either McDonald's or Starbucks to burn-up the last hour of their ill-fated marriage while the law office prepares the document package for a "one-size-fits-all" divorce.

You cannot have issues, however, or it will cost you more. The basic premise is that the divorce has to be absolutely 100% "pro confesso" (i.e. uncontested). Basic input is collected from the client and a set of pleadings are prepared within the alotted hour. A judgment is generated and executed for entry and filing with the court at the appropriate time, usually six months.

If you have marital property, need support, or have children, this too can be done in an hour; but will cost you almost double. A Prenuptial agreement will all but disqualify you from the program, although a "conventional" divorce would still be available.

Perhaps the firm is onto something; anyone facing the stress and uncertainty of divorce will appreciate speed of service combined with an affordable price package. To discuss similar options at our law firm, email us for an appointment.